eBay

mattashine · ‎11-30-2020

I had 5 packages to be picked up Friday. Pickup occurred around 4 pm.

2 Priority and 3 First class

The two priorities didn't show up in the system until 1 am.

The first class pieces, two entered in over the course of the weekend, at different check points in their travels.

One first class still not showing, customer is impatient.

One Priority is now doing the "boomerang" I have seen once or twice before. It goes to my local hub for processing, goes out to the nearest hub of the destination, then bounces back to my local hub, and is rerouted back to the destination hub. I had one such package caught in that loop for 2 weeks. I hope it gets figured out sooner this time.

So, be mindful of the USPS issues are in effect in some areas. Maybe pad your shipping times for now to protect your seller ratings in the event your packages are not promptly being scanned.

rebell45 · ‎11-30-2020

I feel your pain. Unfortunately, this is going to continue until, at least, after the holidays. Just makes selling here that much harder and more stressful.

____________________________________________________________
Never sell anything on eBay that you can't afford to lose.

grasscarp · ‎11-30-2020

Welcome to Covid 2020!!

This is the new norm for USPS - no scans, bad scans, boomerang effect, cross country scenic route, late, real late, extra late, and lost.

I sent a First Class package recently that took 21 days to go approximately 100 miles.

Many packages are taking 3-4 weeks to go from NC to MI.

I wonder how many 2020 political mail pieces were lost or late?? Probably none!!

mattashine · ‎11-30-2020

Something to share for those finding this having similar issues with vanishing packages.

I went to USPS.com and in the Help section, I filed a case for missing mail. When you track the package here on ebay, it now displays "Package research case created" and has a blue progress line when you run the tracking number. So while this is not an immediate fix, it gives the buyer something that appears to show progress, and will buy some time for the ordeal to play out.

anjie234 · ‎11-30-2020

Hi there!

Yeah, I've seen that "boomerang" thing (as you put it)! Don't know how that happens,

but it's a bummer!

I actually stopped using "pickup" for now... though I do fear the virus, I just double-mask up to

run into the post office and drop off (everything with pre-paid labels, so no need to

stick around)!!

I've been reading so much about how slow USPS is right now... but, I gotta tell ya,

for whatever reason, my packages are being delivered pretty fast right now!

(from eastern PA to mid-TX in 2 days!!). So, yeah... it must just be in certain areas.

Thanks for sharing!

monroe67 · ‎11-30-2020

For the first time in more than 10 yrs of selling (on another ID), I am in a similar situation. I sold an item, buyer paid, nice and quick, very normal. I took the package into a post office building on the same day that payment from the buyer was confirmed, and dropped it into a specific drawer for parcels. Tracking stopped right there. Nine days later I filed a tracking search on usps.com; got the "package research case created" message and a few days later another message saying that the case was "resolved."

I have also been in contact with my buyer and so far she seems to accept the wait. I am really disappointed, though. The "resolution" message was not really specific -- "some" post offices have outsourced some functions to companies that don't scan the packages, blame it on Covid and staffing issues, yadda, yadda. This total purchase was less than $20.00 so if I have to refund her, it will not break me, but still, you know? I am glad I have an apparently reasonable buyer, but this delay makes me feel a little skittish about sending anything else through the US Postal Service.

little*blackdog · ‎11-30-2020

I'm sorry to hear that you had that problem. The only thing I can't stress enough is GET THAT PACKAGE SCANNED IN! Wait in line if that's what it takes. Wait to see your mail carrier face-to-face if you are going to have them pick up packages.

Every mail carrier (and counter clerk) has a hand-held electronic scanner to scan tracking info for packages being delivered, AND for packages being accepted into the USPS system. Many mail carriers are too lazy or too busy talking on their phones to bother though... but if you ask them to do it then, they should do it then.

Once the package is scanned into USPS, it's their responsibility. If you allow them to just take in the packages, like from a bin in the PO lobby, there is no one taking responsibility for that package. And they know it. They don't care. Make them care!!!

grasscarp · ‎11-30-2020

"Once the package is scanned into USPS, it's their responsibility. "

Yes it is their responsibility but what does that mean??

They will not assume any financial responsibility if they are late and you have to reship or if they loose your package and you have to refund and/or reship.

If I ship an 8 oz package and they loose it I have to replace the item and pay for shipping all over again!! Since it is First Class there is no automatic insurance. Added insurance for small value items are seldom worth it. And filing an insurance claim for a lost package is not always worth it.

So, USPS gets paid to deliver a package. They fail to do their job. Then we have to pay USPS again to deliver a replacement package for the one that they lost, or ebay will ding us and the buyer will leave a negative feedback.

Hard to win sometimes.

jbjbj_7 · ‎12-01-2020

I have been seeing all sorts of delays the past week or so. Much worse than before.

It is crucial to have USPS scan each and every pacakge. If they say they can't "because they are too tired" or "the line is too long", then cancel the labels and have them print postage for you one by one. But you need to have these packages scanned.